Itchy Breasts Symptoms
Sometimes women can suffer from a fungal infection of the breast called breast yeast or thrush, which is usually caused by the fungus Candida albicans. However, thrush can develop from other unknown causes. It can occur while breastfeeding, in women with vaginal thrush, and while using antibiotics. Thrush can also damage the nipple itself.
Although rare, men can get breast yeast. Signs of nipple yeast can include: breast or nipple pain usually described as a stabbing, shooting, or feeling of deep pain
women may experience a burning sensation, often after breastfeeding
nipple tenderness, burning, itching, or tingling
pink nipple and areola
dry and scaly areola
a white rash
cracked nipples that heal slowly
While breastfeeding, an infant may develop thrush, showing symptoms such as a white layer in the mouth, a rash on the tongue, or a red diaper rash.
Infants who develop thrush may need treatment at the same time as their mother.
itchy breasts symptoms
Mastitis is treated with antibiotics. Make sure you take the full course of treatment to prevent the infection from coming back. Other steps that can also help reduce symptoms of mastitis include: taking over-the-counter pain relievers
drink lots of fluids
rest
Generally, women can treat itchy nipples associated with pregnancy with: A lotion without chemicals like vitamin E, cocoa butter, or lanolin: Using additional petroleum jelly throughout the day can also help maintain skin hydration. Apply lotion or petroleum jelly to the nipples after showering, especially in the morning and evening.
Mild, fragrance-free detergents: Using these types of products prevents harsh chemicals from reaching the skin.
Appropriate bras: Wearing a well-fitting maternity bra that allows air circulation to breasts and is not too tight can help reduce itching.
Consider applying a simple anti-itch cream or gel to your breasts. Over-the-counter (OTC) options usually include a numbing agent (local anesthetic) called pramoxine, which relieves the itchiness of the skin.
For allergic reactions or itching that seems to be coming from the skin on your breast, consider trying an over-the-counter antihistamine such as: bloody, yellow, or brown drainage
inverted nipple
sore breasts
skin changes that make your breast look like an orange peel
thickened breast tissue
antihistamines work to reduce your body's reaction to an allergen and reduce itching and irritation.
A lot of things can cause itchy nipples. They are generally sensitive. They also stand out and can be irritated by friction, eczema, breastfeeding or pregnancy. Rarely, itchy nipples can be a sign of more serious disease.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is the most common cause of itchy nipples. With this condition, itching is almost always present and can be severe. The itchiness can start before you can even see a rash. The rash may include small, oozing or crusty blisters.
If your breasts are itchy, it usually doesn't mean you have cancer. Most often, the itch is caused by another condition, such as dry skin. However, it is possible that persistent or intense itching is a sign of a rare type of breast cancer, such as inflammatory breast cancer or Paget's disease.
Breasts can get bigger for various reasons such as pregnancy, weight gain, or puberty. This growth can cause the skin around your breasts to stretch. This feeling of tightness and discomfort can lead to persistent itching on or between your breasts.
Yes, itchy nipples can be caused by pregnancy. Hormonal changes, breast expansion, and increased blood flow can cause a woman to itchy nipples during pregnancy. A woman may also experience sore nipples, tingling, tenderness, and breast heaviness.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare and accounts for only 1% to 5% of all breast cancers. Although it is a type of invasive ductal carcinoma, its symptoms, outlook, and treatment are different. IBC causes symptoms of breast inflammation like swelling and redness, which is caused by cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin causing the breast to look "inflamed."
IBC grows and spreads quickly, so the cancer may have already spread to nearby lymph nodes by the time symptoms are noticed. This spread can cause swollen lymph nodes under your arm or above your collar bone. If the diagnosis is delayed, the cancer can spread to distant sites.
If you experience an itchy breast, and it feels like a surface itch, check out the information on breast rash above. Even when no rash is visible, itching can be caused by the same factors that cause a rash.
But, it turns out, there are many reasons you could be fighting the urge to scratch and almost all of them are nothing to worry about. Phew! But for clarity, we spoke to Dr Clare Morrison, GP & Medical Advisor at Medexpress and Dr Zoya Diwan, Medical Director and Founder of Trikwan to get to bottom of itchy boobs, what exactly it says about your health and whether there's any cause to worry.
Breast-feeding is particularly hard on the nipples, due to moisture, friction, and sometimes infection. Itchiness between the breasts is commonly caused by excessive heat and sweating. This may lead to sweat rash, pimples, and (in more extreme cases) yeast infections," says Dr Clare. Again, this might come back to your bra, particularly if you do a lot of sports, "this is because they obtain a lot of sweat and moisture which can leave the skin irritated," explains Dr Zoya.
If you're generally itchy all over, this is likely to be caused by an external irritant like your washing powder or shower products. If so, "you are likely to experience itching in both breasts," says Dr Zoya. "Dry weather can also cause itching all over your body, including on the breasts and nipples," adds Dr Zoya, while "itching under, between, or on your breasts without a rash could be caused by growing breasts."
A rash is an area of skin that has changes in texture, appearance and colour. A breast rash is redness or irritation that occurs on the skin of the breast. The skin can also look inflamed and be itchy, scaly, painful or blistered.
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and often aggressive form of invasive breast cancer. Unlike other common breast cancers, it often does not cause a breast lump. The symptoms of IBC appear when cancer cells block lymph vessels (that are part of the lymphatic system) in the breast.
Many of these symptoms are similar to a breast infection or inflammation (such as mastitis). Because these conditions occur more frequently than IBC, your doctor may initially prescribe antibiotics if they suspect that you have an infection. However, if your symptoms do not improve, your doctor may consider other more serious causes, such as IBC, and more tests may be recommended to evaluate your symptoms.
Please make an appointment to speak with your doctor if you have any breast symptoms that concern you, or you notice any new or unusual changes on your breast. Most breast changes are not due to cancer. However, it is important to see a doctor without delay so that symptoms can be checked by a healthcare professional. Early detection gives the best possible chance of survival if you are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat mastitis. However, if your symptoms do not improve after taking antibiotics, please follow up with your doctor. Your doctor may also recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as ibuprofen or paracetamol) if needed.
Symptoms of an inflammatory breast cancer rash such as redness or swelling may come and go at the start. However, these symptoms will worsen over time if the cancer spreads. If you notice symptoms such as pain, swelling or redness that are persistent, see your doctor as soon as possible.
A breast rash may cause the breasts to feel itchy, but most rashes are not life-threatening. Some rashes can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as breast cancer, so if you are concerned it is important to see a doctor without delay so that your symptoms can be checked.
When breasts swell, the increased pressure stretches out your skin and pulls it taught. In addition, low estrogen levels can cause the skin on the breasts and nipples to become dry and thin, while also increasing sensitivity. All of these factors set the stage for itching. 3
One of the effects of lower estrogen levels is breast tissue swelling. When breasts swell, the increased pressure stretches out your skin and pulls it taught. In addition, low estrogen levels can cause the skin on the breasts and nipples to become dry and thin, while also increasing sensitivity. All of these factors set the stage for itching.
However, other skin conditions can come up during pregnancy, too. Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy, also called a PUPP rash, cause small, red bumps and patches of itchy hives to form on the abdomen. This rash may spread to the thigh or buttocks. 9
The most common symptoms of thrush are burning and itching on the nipple that can be mild to severe. Your nipple may look bright red with dry or flaking skin. Thrush is most commonly treated with antifungal oral medication or cream. If your baby also has thrush, they will need to be treated with oral gel or drops, as well.
Some treatments, such as radiation therapy for cancer, can cause the skin to become dry, irritated, and itchy. Radiation therapy, in particular, can cause dry, itchy, or burning skin, similar to that of a sunburn. 12
Some oral medications, such as those used to treat breast cancer, have side effects including itchy skin eruptions that may resemble eczema. 13 When this happens, your healthcare provider might prescribe a topical steroid cream (like hydrocortisone) to help you manage the symptoms. 041b061a72